Situated along the body of water for which it was named, the village of Otter Lake is in northwest Marathon Township, in Lapeer County, and northeast Forest Township, in Genesee County.
Otter Lake is a 68-acre body of water that spans both counties, the southern two-thirds of which is within the village limits. At its deepest point, the lake is about 117 feet deep. The lake was named by Andrew McArthur for otters that he saw swimming in it.
In the 1800s, Otter Lake was used for ice production. Ice was cut and shipped to other parts of the state for use in refrigeration. The largest ice houses in the village were situated along the Pere Marquette Railroad.
European-American settlement of the area began with Mr. McArthur, who came in 1838. The land upon which the village was built was originally owned by Garritt Smith, and was part of a 6,000-acre tract of pine timberland. The tract was acquired by C.B. Benson of Oswego, New York, who formed the lumber firm of Page & Benson to harvest the timber for lumber.
A post office was established on February 12, 1873, with John M. McDonald as the first postmaster. In 1874, the Pere Marquette Railroad came through, establishing a station in Otter Lake. Otter Lake was the location of a railroad crossing of the Pere Marquette branch line between Flint and Fostoria in Tuscola County, and the Michigan Central's Bay City branch from Detroit to Bay City, by way of Saginaw.
Also in 1874, Mr. Benson arranged to have the village platted and recorded, although Otter Lake wasn't incorporated as a village until 1883.
The chief routes to and from the village include Lake Road, Otter Lake Road, Hart Lake Road, and Washburn Road. Incorporated cities and villages within twenty miles of Otter Lake include Otisville, Columbiaville, Millington, North Branch, Mayville, Vassar, Davison, Clio, Lapeer, Mt. Morris, and Birch Run.
The village's peak population was 562 in 1960, and it currently has a population below 400.
The focus of this portion of our guide is on the village of Otter Lake, Michigan. Appropriate topics include online resources for the municipal government, as well as any other governmental entities within the village, and local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities.
Recommended Resources
The non-profit organization provides the use of a pontoon boat, free of charge, to physically disabled individuals and their families, veteran's groups, group homes, and youth organizations. Located at the Otter Lake Village Park in Otter Lake, Michigan, photos of the boat are provided, a reservation calendar and reservation form are included, along with a pilot agreement form, and acknowledgments of major donors. Directions, a telephone number, and an email address are provided.
http://www.barrierfreeboating.org/
Family-owned and operated, the ADA-compliant housing complex in Otter Lake, Michigan is designed for people with physical disabilities. Featuring two-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath accommodations, large roll-in showers, hard-surface floors, kitchen accommodations, dishwasher, washer/dryers, lowered electrical panels and light switches, raised electrical outlets, wide doors, central air, and generator backup systems, as well as other options. Photographs and client reviews are provided.
https://evergreengrovellc.com/
Featuring recreational activities, as well as a 254-site campground, including electric and water hook-ups as well as primitive sites, with or without a dock. Reservation information and prices are provided, along with overnight camping rules and regulations, maps, fees, bill payments, and job openings. A campground waiting list is provided and interested persons may apply to be placed on the list for an annual camping lot. Board members and meeting notices are posted.
https://www.otterlakepark.net/
St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church
Dedicated in 1885, the congregation still meets in the original building, which has been added onto three times, and survived a fire in 1952. The history of the congregation and building is told, and an introduction to the church's leadership is provided, along with office hours and contacts, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, and an overview of its Sunday School, food pantry, community service, stewardship, and other ministries is provided. Recent sermons may be viewed online.
https://www.stjohnsotterlake.org/
Named for the body of water in the northern part of the village, Otter Lake is bisected by the Lapeer and Genesee County line. The official municipal website includes information about village elected officials and appointees, meeting minutes, ordinances, and the village's Downtown Development Authority. Other resources include a citizen's guide, budget reports, and other documents. The history of the village, a photo gallery, and a guide to local businesses and civic organizations is included.
https://villageofotterlake.com/
